Reviews+

More than 30 years after it was published, Judy Blume's YA novel Tiger Eyes has been adapted for the big screen. Directed by Lawrence Blume, the author's son, the quiet film stars Willa Holland as Davey and Amy Jo Johnson as her mother, both reeling from the results of a tragic shooting. The gorgeous landscape of northern New Mexico serves as a perfect backdrop to the long-awaited adaptation, also available via video on demand. Kent Turner reviews it for SLJ.

The Young Ancestors (Cinema Guild) explains how the Tewa Indian tribe of New Mexico is making an effort to retain its Native language and is the perfect choice for multicultural studies classes in high school and above.

I recently discovered a couple of wonderful information literacy-inspired song parodies. Chad Bauman wrote and produced a sweet, clever, slightly goofy song on the CRAPtest mnemonic many of us recommend for evaluating sources.  Although I would advise kids about thinking a little more contextually about their sources, it’s a very cool way to open the conversation [...]

Erica S. Perl’s When Life Gives You OJ receives stellar treatment in the audiobook version narrated by Abigail Revasch. Read the starred review of this delightful story.

Sticks and Stones: Defeating the Culture of Bullying and Rediscovering the Power of Character and Empathy by Emily Bazelon. Random House 2013. Random House Audio 2013. Reviewed from borrowed copy of audiobook. Making this part of my “vacation reads” series, figuring most of my readers who work in schools are on vacation now or soon [...]

Little Red Riding Hood receives a thoroughly charming update in Nosy Crow's latest production.

Enrich elementary school units on spring and gardening with And Then It’s Spring, a DVD from Weston Woods based on the book written by Julie Fogliano and illustrated by Erin Stead.

These audiobook versions of time-honored classics shine a spotlight on language, lyrical expression, and character development. Try pairing them with their film adaptations for excellent compare and contrast opportunities.

Katherine Applegate’s Newbery winner, The One and Only Ivan,, is a heart-wrenching tale that reminds us that every animal has the right to a safe place called home. Be sure to read the starred review of the audiobook from Recorded Books.